Cephas & Wiggins at Ashland Coffee & Tea
If you think the blues is something to be sad about, then you haven’t seen Cephas & Wiggins. The duo plays an upbeat and blissful brand of country blues that is a precursor to a medical condition known as “toe-tapping.” When this guitar- and harmonica-playing pair comes to Ashland Coffee & Tea Saturday, June 23, at 8 p.m., you won’t need the caffeine to stay wired. $17-$22. 798-1702. — Craig Belcher
Chris Brown at Kings Dominion
R&B soloist Chris Brown is only 18 years old, and he’s already released a Grammy-nominated album, won three Billboard Music Awards and even landed a guest role on “The O.C.” Brown’s voice is part Usher, part Michael Jackson and part Chris Brown, a sound the world is getting used to. Brown, a native of Tappahannock, performs Sunday, June 24, at 7 p.m. at the Kings Dominion’s Kingswood Amphitheater. $20-$45. Call 262-8100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. — Sarah Mogin
The Taters Celebrate 10 Years
Juggling rock, pop and Americana, The Taters have earned local and national acclaim for their harmonic and diverse sound. Formerly the Burnt Taters, the Richmond-based band has as its core bassist/vocalist Craig Evans and guitarist/vocalist Brad Tucker, though the two have been known to team up with other locals to keep things interesting. The Taters recently released their fourth album, “Just One Night,” a live recording from one night in Ashland. The Taters play Saturday, June 23, at 2 p.m. at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Free. 270-7613. — S.M.
Drive-By Truckers at Friday Cheers
In the late ’90s, the Drive-By Truckers hit the Southern rock scene as a Skynyrdesque quintet, offering songs about coming-of-age below the Mason-Dixon. The Truckers released their seventh CD in 2006, “A Blessing and a Curse,” which continued in the vein of whiskey-soaked lamenting, much to the delight of those who are discontent and Southern and whiskey-soaked. Patty Hurst Shifter, a rock band from Raleigh, opens Friday, June 22, at Brown’s Island, 6-9:30 p.m. Free. Call 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com. — S.M.
Sugarland at Innsbrook
Trio-turned-duo Sugarland has scored points among country music fans and, more broadly, music fans. Performing a fusion of folk, gospel and pop-country, the group pulled off a Grammy nomination in 2006 and won Duo Video of the Year at this year’s Country Music Awards. Sugarland plays the Snagajob.com Pavilion Friday, June 22. Gates at 6 p.m. $15-$20. Call 423-6589 or visit www.innsbrookafterhours.com. — S.M.
Toad’s Place … really, this time.
Last week, the wait for Toad’s Place appeared to be over, but the doors of the nightclub remained shut for some last-minute tinkering. Now, the venue appears to be ready for its debut. The first week looks like this: Squirrel Nut Zippers, Thursday, June 21, at 8 p.m.; Carbon Leaf, Friday, June 22; and Rooney, Sunday, June 24. Call 648-TOAD or visit www.toadsplacerva.com. — C.B.
